Serbian Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) dried lentils 1 cup (200g) dried lentils
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 6g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the lentils thoroughly and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and water. Add the rinsed lentils and season with salt and pepper.
5. 5.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the lentils are tender.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf and stir in the lemon juice.
7. 7.
   Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Make sure to rinse the lentils thoroughly before using to remove any debris or impurities.
• Smoked paprika — Use a good quality smoked paprika to add a subtle smoky flavor to the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender before serving.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top of each serving for an extra tangy twist.
• Serve the soup with crusty bread or traditional Serbian cornbread (proja) for a complete meal.
• Customize the soup by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future enjoyment.

Serving advice

Serve the Serbian Lentil Soup hot in individual bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and added freshness. Accompany the soup with a slice of crusty bread or Serbian cornbread (proja) for a satisfying and wholesome meal.

Presentation advice

Present the Serbian Lentil Soup in rustic-style bowls, showcasing the vibrant colors of the vegetables and lentils. Place a small bunch of fresh parsley on top of each bowl for an appealing visual touch. Serve the soup alongside a basket of warm bread to complete the presentation.